story, which doesn't get enough attention from folks like us, is that the president has been a little michael corleone towards the republicans in the negotiations with boehner and that essentially he is saying when boehner says, i'll give you this, i'll give you this, i think the president is saying this is what i'll give you, nothing. he doesn't want to reduce spending. the republicans are willing to bend on taxes but spending is where the real action is, and i really do think that this may go up to the end and may go over. >> i think that's very possible. matthew dowd, one of the things the white house will argue they did the spending cuts last year. no question of the president taking a firm line in these negotiations but speaking of the impossible situation, that peggy just mentioned, it does appear no matter what speaker boehner negotiates with the president, it is something that cannot get through his conference. >> well, first, merry christmas to you and your family and everybody here. happy holidays to all that and have a sticker my daughter made me wear santa claus until santa claus